Aluminum Valve Cover

[Knuckle0Head]

I have an 81 SX/4 with a 258 and I'm looking to replace the plastic cover, it leaks oil pretty much everywhere. I've dug around through various posts on different forums, and most of the links I've found lead to dead websites. I've also seen people mention using a cover off a 4.0 engine, and then drilling and tapping the head to mount it, however I want to avoid that. That's a lot more work than I want to do, the valve cover is the only issue with the engine so taking it apart any further isn't needed. I've seen some valve covers for sale but I don't know which are any good, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[MIPS]

Summit seems to still sells an aftermarket aluminum cover for the 4.2 but it's also a bolt-in.
IMHO for the cost of asking a shop to drill/tap and vacuum the holes (and save the risk of overdrilling into the coolant channel) it's a massive improvement over AMC's system of bolts and rocker bridges but I've found that both on my original head and my rebuilt '84 head you have to cement the cover and the gasket together with RTV or it will leak.

[amcfool1]

hi, check out PML valve covers at Yourcovers.com.  P/N 8656. This is the ONLY direct bolt on cover out there. Expensive, but, Made in the USA. other choices, look at the Jeep sites such as Quadratec, also good, and easy to install. good luck, gz
btw, 4.0 covers won't work.

[Knuckle0Head]

hi, check out PML valve covers at Yourcovers.com.  P/N 8656. This is the ONLY direct bolt on cover out there. Expensive, but, Made in the USA. other choices, look at the Jeep sites such as Quadratec, also good, and easy to install. good luck, gz
btw, 4.0 covers won't work.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/917401_15_07.htm
Would this work, and does it require anything extra to attach or will it bolt on the same as the original? Want to make sure I'm getting the right parts

[vangremlin]

That should work, and it includes the hardware to install it.  Your vehicle may already include the holes for mounting, but you may need to tap them so the bolts will work.  Fairly simple procedure.  You may need to drill the holes which requires more effort, and make sure you don't drill through the head into the coolant passages. 

Good luck, and look on this site for more information on installing an aluminum valve cover!

[amcfool1]

hi, yes, that one will work, follow installation instructions!  good luck,  gz